Obituary of Joseph E. R. Fortin

Joseph E. R. Fortin, 77, of Cook Hill Road, Danielson, died Saturday May 16, 2015 after a lengthy illness at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Marcia (Mailhot) Fortin; they were married June 20, 1959 in St. James Church. He was born December 30, 1937, in Danielson, son of the late Oliver J. and Marie Martha (Sylvain) Fortin. He retired from the US Air Force in 1978 after twenty years of dedicated service. He was a member of the Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) community and served in both the Strategic and Tactical Air Command (SAC / TAC) Groups. Following active duty, he was employed as a machinist for 22 years at Kaman Aerospace in Moosup. In his youth he had worked for Wells Mobil in Danielson and the Willimantic Thread Company. He was a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret, a member of the Putnam American Legion and a life member of the Danielson VFW. He was an avid bowler, enjoyed bird watching, fishing, cooking, canning, and working in his vegetable gardens. He had a great love for his family, and always had time for his grandchildren. He leaves his wife Marcia, his children Gary Fortin of Virginia; Renee McCoy and her husband David of Hanover, CT; Scott Fortin of Danielson; Joe Fortin and his wife Joyce of Woodstock Valley; his sister Doris LaPrade of Danielson, 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Most Holy Trinity Church, 568 Pomfret Street, Pomfret. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Share a memory at www.gagnonandcostellofh.com